Why can’t I access a public toilet?

My name is Zia and I am 23 years old. I was born with a neuromuscular condition called Muscular Dystrophy. That does not stop me from having a bright outlook on life. Going to the toilet, however, does.

No-one likes talking about going to the toilet. It is a personal activity done behind closed doors. But it is time for me to share my story, one that has been hidden behind the screen for too long.

So, what do I do behind the closed door you might ask?

Nothing. Absolutely nothing. For as long as I have been in my wheelchair, I have not been able use the public disabled toilets.

My condition affects my whole body, not just half. I cannot even lift my arm to scratch my nose. So, when it comes to me using the toilet it takes two experienced carers, a lifter, a full-body sling and a table. It is not an easy task and I still have trouble accepting the way I live today.

Everywhere I go, I see public disabled toilets for the able-disabled, people who have the muscle strength to move from A to B – not for the physically disabled. It is very disheartening.

I cannot leave my house for more than three hours at a time because I have to come home to go to the toilet. I cannot continue to live my life around a toilet.

This has affected my everyday living because I cannot be a normal 23 year old.

There’s no room to sit back and relax without keeping an eye on the time, thinking I need to go home to go to the toilet. I cannot spend a day out of town shopping or seeing doctors because I might need the toilet.

About ten years ago, while I was visiting the hospital for medical appointments, I wanted to go to the toilet but they didn’t even have the proper disabled facilities. At the hospital. I was appalled.

The only way for me to go to the toilet was to use one of the beds to get undressed, be wheeled naked (they said they would put a towel around me) down the corridor to the toilet area.

What if we were to take away all the public toilets? I am sure there would be many protests. But what about those who cannot use the public toilets because of the lack of room and equipment? You do not see these people because they are at home where the toilet is.

I cannot help but think how many other physically disabled people are having the same problem. If physically able people are good enough to have access to public toilets then why aren’t I?

6
Comments

Anne

Thank you for sharing, Zia. We need more conversations like this ... talked about loudly and locally and often!

Frances Brooks

Brave girl Zia; and thankyou for being equally brave for sharing the beyond undignified manner in which you were treated - in a hospital public corridor; would love to strip said nurses naked and wheel them down same public corridor; deservedly so:

Melanie

So true Zia, many people will be pleased you have brought this frustrating situation to light. Wish you success in reaching persons who can make this possible no one realizes how the seemingly simple things in life can make life so restricting until faced with a body that no longer does as its told and won't let you do and go where your heart
desires. Admire your determination hope to see these assessible toilets around Whyalla and Australia soon so we can take everyone out without being worried about ' where we are going to go '

Changing Places

Wonderful piece Zia - thanks so much for shedding light on this huge barrier to social inclusion. Up to 200,000 Australians face the exact same problem yet there are only a small handful of appropriate toilets available. We need to see more fully accessible toilets with change tables and hoists. The Changing Places project advocates for these facilities in major public spaces across Australia. Check out www.changingplaces.org.au to access a map of these toilets and to support the project.

jayne

What solutions do you have for the problem? What changes do you see would be sufficient to solve the issues you face?

Les scanlon

Thanks for sharing Zia. It would have been hard for you to do so. Hopefully you will open a few more eyes.